The scene at Spencer Cricket Club in Earlsfield, south-west London where two nine-year-old boys were left with serious head injuries when the tree fell on them while they waited to use the practice nets. Photo: David Mercer/PA Wire

The boys had been waiting to use practice nets at The Spencer Club in Earlsfield when the tree crashed down.

The boys, one of whom suffered leg injuries, were rushed to hospital.

The incident happened on Saturday afternoon after strong winds buffeted parts of south London.

A statement from The Spencer Club said the boys’ conditions were being assessed and: “Naturally, the club’s thoughts are with those young ones and their families.

“As soon as we have had word from the hospital and the parents we shall be issuing another statement. In the meantime, all cricket at the ground has been suspended.”

The uprooted tree remained lying across the cricket pitch last night.

Monique Wilkinson, 33, was holding a birthday party for her three-year-old daughter at her home when she heard the tree fall.

She said: “We could see the kids stuck under the tree and there were a lot of people around. It’s terrible. These kids play on the field every weekend.

“The air ambulance landed in the field across the road from us and there were four or five ambulances in total. The emergency services seemed to have everything under control.

“Another tree came down on this road earlier in the day which shows how bad the winds were.”

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